Why is urine dark in the morning and what to do?

Should you worry if you notice that your urine is dark in the morning? In most cases, there is absolutely no reason to worry: urine is always more concentrated in the morning, as pigments accumulate in it during the night. However, there are other reasons for dark urine in the morning, and sometimes they can still indicate a certain disease in the body.

Epidemiology

Diseases that are accompanied by the appearance of dark urine in the morning are considered to be quite common. Unfavorable environmental conditions, intense lifestyle, work-rest imbalance, poor nutrition - all of these factors to one degree or another complicate the functioning of the body, including the liver, urinary and endocrine systems. According to statistics, at least 4% of the population of our country suffer from kidney diseases, and more than half of them are female patients (this is primarily due to the fact that during pregnancy, women experience a significantly increased load on the urinary system).

If we take into account the physiological darkening of urine in the morning in healthy people, then 9 out of 10 people observe this symptom: an increase in the concentration of urine during night sleep is considered an absolute norm.

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Causes dark urine in the morning

Dark urine in the morning can be the result of physiological (natural) causes, such as:

• consumption of food the day before that gives urine a dark tint (beets, dark meat, beans, rhubarb, etc.) or drinks (coffee, herbal teas);
• taking certain medications that promote hyperpigmentation of urinary fluid (aloe, multivitamins, senna preparations, chemotherapy drugs, metronidazole, quinine, etc.);
• low fluid intake during the day, as well as dehydration associated with hot weather, intense physical activity, strict diets, toxicosis (in pregnant women), etc.

If the darkening of urine is persistent, not associated with the above conditions and accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, then one can suspect the presence of a pathological process:

• liver pathologies (toxic hepatitis, viral hepatitis, gallstones, cirrhosis);
• digestive disorders that lead to dehydration (severe diarrhea, repeated vomiting);
• in men – prostatitis, in women – diseases of the reproductive system;
• diseases of the urinary system (calculous pyelonephritis, cystitis, presence of cysts, glomerulonephritis);
• blood diseases, anemia;
• tumor processes in the body (in the kidneys, in the prostate, in the liver, etc.);
• infectious diseases that are accompanied by fever;
• burns that are accompanied by dehydration;
• heart disease.

Rarely, dark urine in the morning is a sign of alkaptonuria, a hereditary disorder in which there is increased excretion of hemogentisic acid in the urine, which gives it a very dark color. Alkaptonuria can be accompanied by the formation of kidney stones, joint and heart diseases.

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Risk factors

Experts identify a number of factors, the presence of which increases the risk of pathological darkening of urine:

1. Age 50 years and older.
2. Recent infectious diseases.
3. Unfavorable family history (when immediate relatives have or have had problems with the kidneys or liver).
4. Intensive sports activities, professional intoxications.
5. Consuming deliberately small amounts of liquid, strict diets, taking medications.
6. Pregnancy.

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Pathogenesis

A change in the color of urine often accompanies a violation of kidney function. But why exactly does the color change and the urine become dark?

In a healthy body, the shade of urine is determined in the range from amber-yellowish to straw. All of the listed shades are light, but darkening of urine to darker colors is allowed. What is the reason for this?

The natural darkening of urine is due to the concentrated content of urochrome, a yellow coloring agent. The concentration of this pigment directly affects the appearance of urine, and in most cases it depends on the amount of liquid consumed by a person. Interestingly, the characteristics of the drinks a person drinks are also reflected in the appearance of urine. For example, if you drink only pure water, your urine will be light and golden, while drinking various carbonated drinks with dyes makes your urine darker. The same applies to beer, strong tea, and rhubarb compote.

Foods that can color urine include beets, chocolate, cocoa, beans, etc.

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Symptoms dark urine in the morning

You should urgently see a doctor if dark urine in the morning is accompanied by other unfavorable symptoms:

• painful sensations in the lumbar or abdominal region;
• urination disorders (burning, pain during urination, small amount of urine, frequent urge to urinate, etc.);
• the appearance of an unpleasant smell of urine;
• increase in body temperature;
• attacks of nausea and vomiting.

The first signs of dark urine may vary, depending on the underlying disease. Sometimes the urine is dark throughout the day, not just in the morning. All these nuances are taken into account by the doctor when making a final diagnosis.

If the urine is dark in the morning and light during the day, then in most cases this is a completely normal indicator, indicating an increase in the concentration of urine at night. What should you do to correct the situation? Drink more fluids and urinate at the first urge to urinate, including at night.

Dark urine in the morning in women can be associated with diseases of the genital area and even with venereal diseases. If the reasons for darkening of urine are truly pathological, then such a symptom is usually accompanied by a change in the smell of urine, the appearance of vaginal discharge, and unpleasant sensations in the area of the external genitalia.

In a child, dark urine in the morning is often associated not only with dehydration, but also with the consumption of immoderate amounts of carbonated drinks, chocolate, and candy. In the summer, such a reaction may be associated with prolonged exposure to the sun.

If a child is taking or has taken antibiotics, diuretics, or vitamins the day before, then his urine may also change color: in this case, the color of the urine will return to normal as soon as treatment with the listed medications comes to an end.

Dark urine in men in the morning is often associated with:

• with inflammation of the urethra;
• with prostatitis (urine analysis will indicate the presence of pus, blood and mucus);
• with scrotal injuries.

The listed pathological conditions may be accompanied by pain during urination, increased body temperature, discomfort in the groin and lower abdomen.

Dark yellow urine in the morning in pregnant women is often a sign of toxicosis. The reasons in this case are a lack of fluid in the body (for example, with edema or frequent vomiting), an increase in the load on the kidneys and pressure of the uterus on the liver, hormonal changes. Sometimes urine becomes dark because a woman takes multivitamin preparations during pregnancy.

If dark urine is not the only suspicious sign, but appears against the background of other symptoms, then a visit to the doctor should be mandatory. This is especially true for children and pregnant women.

Complications and consequences

If the appearance of dark urine in the morning is associated with physiological natural causes, then in this case there is no point in talking about any adverse consequences for the body: this is a normal symptom inherent in most healthy people.

If dark urine is one of the symptoms of a disease, then the prognosis here depends on what kind of disease we are talking about and at what stage of development this pathology is.

A bacterial infection that could cause dark urine can ascend to the kidneys, which can result in serious disruptions in their functioning. With a prolonged infection, as well as with disruption of metabolic processes in the kidneys and bladder, stones can form, which are then removed only surgically.

When the body is dehydrated, almost all organs and systems suffer:

• blood circulation slows down, the minute stroke volume of blood decreases, and blood pressure decreases;
• disturbances in the nervous system occur, convulsions appear;
• kidney function deteriorates, blood becomes oversaturated with urea, creatinine, and uric acid;
• there is a risk of blood clots and venous blockage;
• constipation, digestive disorders, and intoxication occur.

Chronic and advanced diseases associated with the appearance of dark urine are especially dangerous: the sooner the doctor determines the cause of this condition and takes action, the more favorable the further prognosis will be.

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Diagnostics dark urine in the morning

In this situation, a general urine test alone will not be enough to diagnose the problem. As a rule, the doctor will prescribe a number of different tests:

• Zimnitsky urine analysis (to assess the concentration function of the kidneys);
• blood tests (including biochemical, with determination of AST and ALT enzymes);
• Bacteriological culture of urine fluid (to determine the presence of infection).

In addition, other auxiliary diagnostic methods will be needed.

Instrumental diagnostics usually includes:

• Ultrasound of the kidneys, abdominal cavity (in men – ultrasound of the prostate);
• magnetic resonance imaging (in the transverse, frontal, vertical plane), computed tomography, radiography;
• radioisotope liver scanning (allows to detect malignant tumors and liver cirrhosis).

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis for dark urine is carried out:

• with liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis, calculous cholecystitis);
• with pathologies of the urinary system (pyelonephritis, malignant tumors, cysts, kidney stones);
• with diseases of the prostate gland in men and the reproductive system in women;
• with hemodynamic disorders;
• with hereditary diseases (alkaptonuria);
• with metabolic disorders.

Treatment dark urine in the morning

Since there are many reasons that can lead to dark urine, there are also many methods to eliminate this problem. For example, if dark urine is the result of a water imbalance, you can correct the situation yourself by increasing the amount of liquid you drink per day. Even with 1500 ml of clean water daily, your urine will become significantly lighter.

If dark urine appears not only in the morning, but also during the day, you should definitely consult a nephrologist or a general practitioner (therapist). After passing the necessary tests, the doctor will prescribe treatment according to the disease detected.

If the doctor diagnoses hepatitis, then mandatory treatment steps will include diet, taking hepatoprotective drugs, and detoxification therapy (setting up IV drips with saline or glucose solution).

In kidney disease, antibiotic therapy (to relieve inflammation) and diuretics (to eliminate swelling and stabilize blood pressure) are most often used.

Medicines to Treat Dark Urine in the Morning

	Method of administration and dosage	Side effects	Special instructions
Essentiale	Capsules are used for liver dysfunction, toxicosis, and psoriasis, 2 capsules three times a day with food.	Sometimes – a feeling of discomfort in the stomach, allergies.	Essentiale is not used to treat children under 12 years of age.
Trental	The tablets are used for circulatory disorders and organ function, 2-4 tablets up to 3 times a day.	Possible digestive disorders, facial flushing, rapid heartbeat, hypotension, headache, allergies.	Trental is used with caution in patients under 18 years of age.
Prostatilen	Used for bacterial prostatitis in men, 1 suppository at night for ten days.	Rarely, an allergy to the drug may occur.	The drug is not used to treat women.
Artichol	Prescribed for hepatitis, cirrhosis, cholecystitis, nephritis, dyskinesia, 200-400 g three times a day 15-30 minutes before meals.	Rarely – diarrhea, nausea, allergies.	Artichol is usually well accepted by the body and can be used to treat children from 6 years of age.

Vitamins

To strengthen the body, ensure normal functioning of the urinary system, liver and metabolic processes, it is important to consume vitamins - either with food or with special vitamin supplements. When dark urine appears, special attention should be paid to the following vitamins:

• Vitamin A provides the body's defense mechanisms;
• Vitamin E prevents cell wear and tear and strengthens the immune system;
• Vitamin B ₂ promotes all biochemical processes;
• ascorbic acid protects the body from all adverse environmental influences;
• Lipoic acid stabilizes metabolism in the body.

If you notice a symptom such as dark urine, you need to add as many vitamins to your diet as possible. It is useful to consume a sufficient amount of plant foods, as well as honey, cereals, and bran. At least for a while, you should give up coffee and tea, replacing them with herbal teas, compotes, fruit drinks, etc.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapy can awaken hidden reserves of the body, strengthen the immune defense, reduce the duration of treatment, stimulate the flow of important biochemical processes, setting the body up for recovery. This is an excellent way not only to treat, but also to prevent various diseases.

• Inductothermy is the use of a high-frequency alternating magnetic field. It is one of the options for electrotherapy.
• UHF therapy is the use of ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic fields to influence the body.
• Magnetotherapy involves the influence of an alternating low-frequency magnetic field on the entire body or a separate part of it.
• Phonophoresis is a method of ultrasound exposure to body areas treated with medicinal substances. Phonophoresis is especially often used in urology and gynecology.

Massage, reflexology, and manual therapy are often used to strengthen the body in general – such methods work not only on the physical, but also on the psychological level, stimulating the acceleration of the body’s recovery.

Folk remedies

To maintain the health of the body and normalize the composition of urine, traditional healers advise including the following foods in the diet:

• Pumpkin and its juice contain a large amount of vitamins A, C, E. Pumpkin neutralizes the effect of harmful substances, helps to normalize metabolic processes. Pumpkin pulp can be consumed by everyone, even children and pregnant women - this is one of the least allergenic products.
• Seaweed is rich not only in iodine, but also in zinc, ascorbic acid, and selenium. Regular consumption of seaweed will benefit the liver, kidneys, and thyroid gland, and will also reduce the risk of cancer. It is ideal to add seaweed to dishes every other day.
• Milk, kefir, cottage cheese contain enough calcium, microelements, amino acids. If there is no lactose intolerance, then these products should be consumed daily.

In addition, it is recommended to include onion and carrot dishes in your diet more often - these products are considered ideal for normalizing digestion, facilitating liver function, and strengthening the immune system.

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Herbal treatment

Traditional healers offer a variety of remedies to improve the quality of urine:

• infusion or compote of red viburnum berries, one cup twice a day;
• a decoction of the rhizome of field horsetail, three times a day 30 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner;
• infusion of motherwort, buckthorn bark, marsh cudweed, field horsetail, 100 ml daily three times a day after meals;
• infusion of immortelle plant, with equal amounts of birch buds, chamomile flowers and St. John's wort 30 minutes before the first meal and at night;
• infusion of succession, burdock rhizome, violet leaves, currants, strawberries, yarrow - twice a day after meals;
• decoction of walnut leaves - three times a day before meals.

In addition, it is useful to drink rosehip tea throughout the day instead of tea – at least 1 liter daily.

It is recommended to replace black tea with green tea, and coffee with a chicory drink, which has less of an effect on changing the color of urine.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy involves the use of a large number of drugs that can help if dark urine is observed in the morning. For example, a remedy such as Calcium is prescribed only for a calcium constitution, with a disturbed metabolism of potassium, magnesium or urates (with the formation of stones in the gallbladder).

If dark urine is a consequence of a disturbance in iron metabolism in the body, then the homeopathic remedy Natrium muriaticum is indicated.

Excessive amounts of salts in urine are corrected with the following medications:

• for phosphates - Acidum phosphoricum or Calcium phosphoricum;
• for oxalates – Acidum oxalicum and Calcium oxalicum.

In case of impaired renal function, Lycopodium and Berberis may be prescribed.

The dosages of the listed drugs are determined depending on the underlying disease that causes dark urine. All homeopathic remedies have virtually no contraindications - only in rare cases are such drugs cancelled when an allergic reaction develops.

Surgical treatment

Surgical intervention is prescribed only in extreme and severe cases of diseases that cause dark urine in the morning. For example, urgent surgical treatment is indicated for purulent pyelonephritis. With this diagnosis, kidney decapsulation is performed with dissection and unfolding of the fibrous capsule, and nephrostomy (installation of drainage in the renal pelvis).

Surgery may also be indicated for carbuncles and renal abscesses, kidney or gall bladder stones, liver abscesses, and malignant tumors.

It is pointless to talk about surgical intervention for dark urine before a final diagnosis is made, because the disease may well be amenable to conservative treatment. And only in advanced cases is surgery possible - however, in such patients the clinical picture, as a rule, is not limited to just dark urine in the morning.

Prevention

To avoid such a symptom as dark urine in the morning, it is enough to listen to several preventive tips. They will not only help prevent diseases, but also contribute to overall well-being:

1. Take your diet seriously: give up unhealthy foods, eliminate spicy and fatty foods, and limit salt.
2. If there are no contraindications, drink at least one and a half to two liters of water daily.
3. Replace black tea and coffee with other drinks, for example, compote or freshly squeezed juice.
4. Remember that movement is life. Walk, do gymnastics, play active games, swim – this will only benefit the body.

At any sign of illness, visit a doctor - do not wait until the disease manifests itself "in full". It is even better if you get into the habit of undergoing a preventive examination of the whole body every year, with general blood and urine tests. Only in this case will you be completely sure that everything is fine with your body.

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Forecast

Dark urine in the morning most often does not pose a danger to the body, so the prognosis can be considered favorable in most cases: it is only important to establish a drinking regime and not allow fluid deficiency. If any disease is detected, the prognosis entirely depends on the diagnosis, the presence of complications, the quality of treatment, the general condition of the patient, as well as many other factors.

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